Top-ranked Carroll gets credit for the win, sees its record improve to 13-0 and advances to the semifinals on Dec. 6.
“I'm disappointed. We want to play football,” Carroll coach Mike Van Diest told the Independent Record in Helena. “Our kids want to play. They want to go out and prove themselves on the field. You can't get better if you don't play.”
The school said the unidentified players dropped classes during the fall semester that reduced their course load below 12 hours, which is not allowed by the NAIA.
“Our university community is saddened and embarrassed by the actions we were forced to take today, but we will never compromise the integrity of this university,” university president Janet Cunningham said in a statement.
“Everyone at Northwestern is accountable for ensuring that we follow NAIA rules and institutional policy to the letter.”
Cunningham apologized to the opposing schools involved in the forfeited games, especially Friends, and said a task force would be formed to look into eligibility issues in the athletic department and prevent further compliance problems.
“I also feel for our players and coaches who will not be allowed to continue their season. They have worked very hard to get to this point but I am confident they understand that we are doing the right thing,” Cunningham said.
Carroll athletics director Bruce Parker credited Northwestern with doing the right thing.
“I think that it was an honorable thing that Northwestern did,” Parker said. “They reported themselves. They turned themselves in.”
Parker said there will be no quarterfinal game, and the Montana school will advance to the semifinals because of the forfeit. The Fighting Saints have won five of the last six NAIA titles, have a 27-game winning streak and are the top-ranked team in the playoffs.
Northwestern Oklahoma State won its only national title in 1999 and also lost to Carroll in the 2003 title game.
The NAIA planned to have its National Eligibility Committee review a report from Northwestern Oklahoma State and determine whether any additional sanctions are necessary.
“It is our understanding that earlier today Northwestern Oklahoma's internal monitoring system detected a violation of NAIA rules and once learning of the violation the administration immediately contacted NAIA officials,” NAIA president Jim Carr said in a statement.
“I know this is a difficult time for the administration, coaches and players but would like to recognize the integrity of the university's administration for taking responsibility to do what was right.”
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